Manchester United: 3 academy players the Red Devils should promote this season

In the four games that Manchester United has played on tour, there have been some standout performers. Among some of the best performers at United, there have been academy graduates that have impressed.

Manchester United has been well known over the years for being a team that cherishes building players up from their academy. Though not many make it to the first team and those that do don’t stay for long due to the competitive nature of the club, the club still promotes them.

At the moment, there are a good number of players that look ready to step into the first team and probably most teams in the Premier League. There are the likes of Dean Henderson, James Garner, Tahith Chong, Axel Tuanzebe, Mason Greenwood, and Angel Gomes, among others.

Some of these players look like they need some time on loan to help further their development, while others look like they can take up roles in the first team as early as this coming season.

Without further ado, these are players that can step up to United's first team:

#3 Axel Tuanzebe

Young centre-back Axel Tuanzebe spent the better part of last season on loan at Aston Villa where he largely impressed. Manchester United has been on the lookout for a central defender that can lead the backline, is defensively sound, and can pass the ball from the back.

Tuanzebe ticks all those boxes and his only disadvantage is that he’s young and inexperienced. But United had an eye for Matthijs de Ligt before he eventually signed for Juventus and he’s even younger than English star Tuanzebe.

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t manage to bring anyone during the window, he should probably consider promoting Tuanzebe to the first team. The manager has already expressed his desire to keep the young defender this season than shipping him off on loan to another Premier League club.

That alone shows he may be ready, plus, he can’t do worse partnering Lindelof than what the others have been doing. That being said, he’s been one of United’s standout performers on tour.

#2 Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood dribbles past Tottenham players

Another youngster that has been making noise during the pre-season tour is Mason Greenwood who has been impressive on the right side of the forward line. The manager has also been encouraging the youngster to take the opportunity and he looks to have grabbed his chances.

Against Tottenham, the youngster didn’t impress, but he didn’t do any wrong. He’s allowed to have such games; after all, he’s only just 17 years old. But if he’s to develop into the player that the club wants him to be, he’ll do well with more game time. And he can get the game time on the right side of that forward line where no one on the squad currently looks capable of handling.

With his composure in front of goal, his ability to beat players, and his good understanding that’s forming with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, this may just be his season. Though still fairly young, Greenwood may just be one of those players that United may end up depending on.

#1 Angel Gomes

Even without the goal against Tottenham, Angel Gomes has generally been impressive for the Red Devils on tour. The nimble-footed youngster who can beat players quite easily has been a joy to watch in the games he has played.

It may have taken him two years since he broke into United’s first team, but he looks to be finally ready to step up. Manchester United have generally lacked a creative force behind the strikers that can provide goals, assists, and speed as well, and Gomes looks the part.

There were times where his immaturity has shown in the games he’s played but that can easily be fixed with game time. The more he plays, the more he can work on his game. One thing that’s quite clear is that even at just 18 years, he’s too good for the reserve side.

The manager has re-emphasized his willingness to give the youngsters a chance, and Gomes sure looks like one who will gain.